Raichur, 29 March

A 13-year-old girl died after receiving treatment from an alleged fake doctor for a common fever in Raichur district. The 9th-grade girl was a resident of Aminagadh village in Maski taluk of Raichur district.

“On 26 March, the child developed a fever, following which her grandmother took her to a man named Uttam Kumar Sarkar, who claimed to be an RMP (Registered Medical Practitioner)," police said.

She was staying with her grandmother as her parents had gone to Bengaluru for daily wage work, Sub-Inspector of police Guru Chandraiah Yadav, told Salar News.

"The accused treated the child and administered an injection. Initially, no complications were observed. After receiving treatment, she even went to attend her examination. However, by night, rashes began appearing on her body, and she started suffering from severe pain,” Yadav said.

She was then admitted to Manvi Hospital, but despite treatment, she breathed her last on Friday.

The parents alleged that the “fake doctor” and the injection he administered were responsible for their daughter’s death.

Raichur District Health Officer (DHO) Surendra Babu told Salar News that Uttam is not a doctor.

"There are several such individuals and even some students posing as doctors in many villages," he cautioned.  “In the district, a few days ago, we conducted raids on more than 100 fake clinics.”

However, social activist Gurudas told Salar News that the issue was prevalent across the State, not only in Raichur.

“At the taluk level, the problem of such fake doctors is on the rise,” he said. He noted that the government had launched a crackdown on fake doctors, but the menace is now on the increase again.

A case is registered at Kavital police station under section Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita(BNS) 304(a).  The accused is absconding, Yadav said.